FIDDLE WORKSHOP

Description

Eileen O’Brien – Fiddle

Eileen comes from a family background that is steeped in the Irish tradition. Her father Paddy was instrumental in establishing the B/C style of button accordion playing as we know it today. Paddy was also one of the most prolific composers of traditional music. Her mother’s family,the “Seery” family, Dublin, were also well known musicians. Her late mother Eileen Seery was a singer. Eileen’s grandfather, Jim Seery played fiddle and was a founding member of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann. Eileen’s uncle Sean Seery was a piper and played in the famous “Leo Rowsome Pipe Quartet” along with Leo Rowsome, Willie Clancy and Tommy Reck.

Eileen is an All-Ireland champion in both senior fiddle and senior fiddle slow airs. She is also a composer and some of her compositions have been recorded by well known artists including John Carty and Josephine Marsh. Eileen also has an interest in liturgical music and has composed music for two masses, “Aifreann Baile Nua” and “Drúcht ar m’Ainm”.

Eileen has been teaching music for all of her adult life. She worked for over twenty years as a music teacher at St. Mary’s Secondary School , Nenagh. Eileen has performed and given masterclasses and lectures at various seminars and music events in many countries, U.S.A, Europe, China, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. She is a highly respected teacher and has influenced many aspiring fiddle players.

Eileen has recorded three solo cd’s to date, “Newtown Bridge”1999, “The Fiddler’s Choice”2005, “Aon le hAon” 2012.Eileen has recently joined with Clare musicians Andrew MacNamara (accordion) and Geraldine Cotter (Piano and Whistle) to form “The Boruma Trio”. Their new album “Gléas” was released in July of 2014. She has produced two publications, “The Compositions of Paddy O’Brien” 1991 and “The Definitive Collection of the Music of Paddy O’Brien” 2009 both with J.D.C. Publications.